Project were due today.

S Clark · « **on:** 26 May 2008, 10:29 pm »

8 Week of work was turned in today. We have projects from simple 5 1/2" two ways to full blown open baffle line arrays. The crossover are a simple as 2nd order on the woofer and first on the tweeter (with a strong warning about volume) to a 3 1/2 way crossover on the line array. Some have included baffle step compensation, other not. Most have a wart or two when measured by our Clio, but overall, this is the most ambitious group of projects so far. The electronic and listening evaluations take place tomorrow. Gary Dodd and Danny Richie are in route from Dallas and Wichita Falls as I type. My kids don't really have a clue how lucky they are to have the involvement of such highly regarded professionals that are willing to travel several hundred miles on their own dime to help out.

Thanks to all of the contributors that have made this possible--- especially to the good folks at AV123 (thanks Sean), Danny and Gary, special thanks to HAL for the donation of a Clio and computer, and all the rest of the good folks at AC and the Parts Express forum that have made this possible.

Tomorrow I will post pictures and evaluations. I am really excited as these are potentially the best projects yet.

S Clark

HAL · « **Reply #1 on:** 27 May 2008, 11:11 pm »

Glad it all worked out!

Looking forward to the pictures.

S Clark · « **Reply #2 on:** 28 May 2008, 04:19 am »

14 students and 8 projects had final evaluations today. Danny Richie (GR-Research) and Gary Dodd (Dodd Audio) served as consultants and judges. The morning was spent checking impedence curves, shooting FR curves, tweaking crossovers, repeat, repeat, repeat....... until finally after lunch we finally got down to listening. Speakers ranged from fair to excellent. Top honors went to a simple two way using the GR-Research M130 and an AV-123 tweeter. Also in the top ranks was an open baffle, line array of sorts that actually was a 3.5 way using Madisound buyout 5" Foster drivers and the GR-Research T-6 tweeter.

The last minute tweak

Gary and Danny evaluating the open baffle line array

Kids and judges- Who will get the gold?

Ryan still working on the crossover amid caps, coils, and resistors

Zero · « **Reply #3 on:** 28 May 2008, 04:46 am »

Why didn't I have this class in high-school? Hell, I'd love to take a class now!

Thanks for sharing the pic's S.Clark. What do you think the students took from this experience?

S Clark · « **Reply #4 on:** 28 May 2008, 05:03 am »

My goals for any of my students as they do projects are:
1. Organize time
2. Problem solve creatively
3. Learn that what's on paper will usually not work entirely as expected without testing and redesign
4. Find their own solutions that they can take pride in

In this project a nice side effect is the creation of a couple of true young audiophiles. At least 3 of these kids are plan on continuing there projects over the summer- for their own gratification.

More pics - Shelby and Candace watch as Danny looks for problem area

Gordy · « **Reply #5 on:** 28 May 2008, 09:46 am »

Many thanks for the reports and pictures, very cool indeed!

JohnR · « **Reply #6 on:** 28 May 2008, 10:44 am »

That's so cool, Scott

If I ever have kids, I want them to go to a school like that...!!!

Kudos to Danny and Gary for supporting your class... amazing!

bpape · « **Reply #7 on:** 28 May 2008, 01:32 pm »

This is exactly the kind of thing our hobby needs. I think it's great for all of those involved to give of their time, talents, and product to give kids an idea of what's going on. And you're right - it's teaching a lot of skills other than just pure speaker building that will be very useful in life no matter what they choose to pursue.

Bryan

Bob in St. Louis · « **Reply #8 on:** 28 May 2008, 04:26 pm »

Quote from: bpape on 28 May 2008, 01:32 pm

And you're right - it's teaching a lot of skills other than just pure speaker building that will be very useful in life no matter what they choose to pursue.

Yea, like being a recording engineer that doesn't use compression. aa
Maybe Scott could teach that class too.

Bob

S Clark · « **Reply #9 on:** 28 May 2008, 08:32 pm »

Just a couple of more pics.

Mr. Reeves of Premier HS and his student Adam look for problem.

I love it when students actually listen- window braces and homemade multi layer deadening.

Danny should email me the response curves in the next day or two. I'll post some of the better or more interesting ones.

HAL · « **Reply #10 on:** 4 Jul 2008, 08:44 pm »

Did you get the response plots for the speakers? Those would be interesting.

Ed Schilling · « **Reply #11 on:** 7 Jul 2008, 04:21 am »

S Clark,
Will you be doing this next year? I have a spare "Woofer Tester 2 " if it will help you.
It's all about the Kids!
Ed

S Clark · « **Reply #12 on:** 7 Jul 2008, 05:44 am »

Ed-
I hope to make this an annual event with more and more high schools.
The Woofer Tester 2 would be a valuable tool, so we'd love to have it.
I'll PM with details.
Scott

bpape · « **Reply #13 on:** 7 Jul 2008, 11:16 am »

Quote from: HAL on 4 Jul 2008, 08:44 pm

Did you get the response plots for the speakers? Those would be interesting.

I'd love to see them too.

Bryan

HAL · « **Reply #14 on:** 8 Jul 2008, 01:20 am »

bpape,
Check the other new thread. It has the reponse plots from Scott's students speakers along with his gallery.